Grant Gossling
Grant's Story, as told by the Gossling Family:
"Grant was a joyful 2 year old in June of 2014, the fourth child to June and Michael Gossling. Grant enjoyed watching Cars and Spiderman and playing with his older siblings. He started complaining of arm pain, an x-ray and then a trip to the ER revealed the unthinkable, Grant was diagnosed with aggressive stage IV neuroblastoma, a solid tumor cancer. Our world as a family was turned upside down as we started the fight against this disease.
Over the next 22 months Grant would endure 5 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove his tumor, 2 rounds of a radioactive therapy called MIBG, a stem cell transplant, focal radiation, 5 months of immunotherapy, and additional rounds of immunotherapy with chemotherapy. Throughout all of this treatment that included multiple relapses Grant fought with a smile on his face always showing his tenacious personality. He loved everything Spiderman, and would shoot webs at all that came near him, always requesting any music therapist that came in his room to sing the Spiderman theme song. Grant loved the minions too which showed in his 4th birthday cake, a Minion in a Spiderman costume. He loved playing on our family farm, riding any four wheeler around, playing on his Make-a-Wish playground, jumping on the trampoline with his siblings, and wrestling with his siblings too. Grant was able travel any chance we got out of the hospital, he adored the beach, trips to Disney, and even was able to ski the Grand Tetons this past February. He spent well over a hundred days in the hospital, but rarely complained, you could find him in his decorated room covered in superheroes, Paw Patrol, Minions, and Cars, roaming the halls in costume, using his bed as a slide, and if he could be free from machines you'd spot him climbing the wall on the hospital playground.
Grant's body went through a lot of treatment and unfortunately the treatment took a hefty toll, on March 28 of this year after fighting fungal pneumonia, Grant left this earth and entered the arms of Jesus at the tender age of four. Left behind our Grant's siblings, big sister Sarah, big sister Sydney, big brother James, and baby brother Hudson; our world once upside down is now shattered. As a family we will forever be fighting to find better treatments for childhood cancer and hopefully one day a cure. Grant's Facebook page continues on at Grace for Grant where we still live by the words one step at a time, one prayer at a time. Our faith carried us through his diagnosis and battle and our faith is the way we continue to live each day now.
Grant adored UGA® and UGA® Miracle, our family pals became family members and Dance Marathon last year was not only a highlight for Grant but for our entire family. We see UGA® Miracle as a way to stay connected with Grant, to carry on his legacy, and continue to share his amazing life with others."
